Ceremony
Our ceremony and reception will be held at resort/lodge situated on 55 acres near Hocking Hills State Park. We are getting married on a ledge in front of a small waterfall. Just me, Scott and the officiant. The guests will be gathered below, not on the marshy ground but back a bit. It will be a short ceremony because I have no desire to torture my guests by making them stand in the hot sun in August. Also because we are "spiritual but not religious" (i.e. we're still trying to figure it all out) our vows will be short and sweet.
Readings
i carry your heart with me
i carry your heart with me(i carry it in
my heart)i am never without it(anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing,my darling)
i fear
no fate(for you are my fate,my sweet)i want
no world(for beautiful you are my world,my true)
and it's you are whatever a moon has always meant
and whatever a sun will always sing is you
here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;which grows
higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that's keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)
-ee cummings
"Blessing of the Hands"-revised by Rev. Daniel L. Harris
These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future.
These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind.
These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow, and as in today, tears of joy.
These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children, the hands that will help you to hold your family as one.
These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it.
And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged, will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.
Lovebirds Unity Candle
(I know ::barf:: but they have BIRDS on them! and I love me some birds. Plus fiance wanted it and I'm a sentimental dork;)
Lovebirds Unity Candle Set: http://www.everafterstore.com/Unity_candle_holder_set_lovebirds_mindy_weiss.html
Site Pics
Hocking Hills State Park
Wedding Vows-Possible Option
Based on the Buddhist Wedding Prayer given by Lama Thubten Yeshe (December 1979)
Scott and Julie, are happy today not only because they can share the joy of their love for each other with friends and family, but also because they have the opportunity to express their aspirations for the future.
Scott and Julie, do you pledge to help each other to develop your hearts and minds, cultivating compassion, generosity, ethics, patience, enthusiasm, concentration and wisdom as you age and undergo the various ups and downs of life and to transform them into the path of love, compassion, joy and equanimity?
“We do”
Recognizing that the external conditions in life will not always be smooth and that internally your own minds and emotions will sometimes get stuck in negativity. Do you pledge to see all these circumstances as a challenge to help you grow, to open your hearts, to accept yourselves, and each other; and to generate compassion for others who are suffering? Do you pledge to avoid becoming narrow, closed or opinionated, and to help each other to see various sides of situations?
“We do”
Understanding that just as we are a mystery to ourselves, each other person is also a mystery to us. Do you pledge to seek to understand yourselves, each other, and all living beings, to examine your own minds continually and to regard all the mysteries of life with curiosity and joy?
“We do”
Do you pledge to preserve and enrich your affection for each other, and to share it with all beings? To take the loving feelings you have for one another and your vision of each other’s potential and inner beauty as an example and rather than spiraling inwards and becoming self absorbed, to radiate this love outwards to all beings?
“We do”
When it comes time to part, do you pledge to look back at your time together with joy–joy that you met and shared what you have–and acceptance that we cannot hold on to anything forever?
“We do”
Do you pledge to remember the disadvantages of ignorance, anger and clinging attachment, to apply antidotes when these arise in your minds, and to remember the kindness of all other beings and your connection to them? Do you pledge to work for the welfare of others, with all of your compassion, wisdom and skill?
“We do”
Do you pledge to work to develop the wisdom understanding the relative functioning nature of things and the wisdom knowing their deeper way of existence that they are empty of inherent existence? And to remember the laws of cause and effect?
‘We do”
Do you pledge day to day, to be patient with yourselves and others, knowing that change comes slowly and gradually, and to seek inspiration from your teachers not to become discouraged?
“We do”
Do you pledge to continuously strive to remember your own true nature, as well as the true nature of all living beings? To maintain the awareness that all things are temporary, and to remain optimistic that you can achieve your greatest potential and lasting happiness.
“We do”
Exchanging of Rings
“The wedding ring is the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual bond which unites two loyal hearts in partnership.”
Pronouncement
“By the power vested in me through the wishes of Julie and Scott, as well as the blessing of their family and friends, I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride."
Presenting and Congratulating the Couple
“Ladies and Gentlemen please join me in congratulating Mr. and Mrs. _____________.”
* Created by John Karuna Cayton for the wedding ceremony of Bonnie Le Boeuf and Robert Baptist, May 2002. Inspired by Lama Thubten Yeshe when he performed the wedding ceremony for Karuna and Pam Cayton.
